Kobi Diam

Kobi Diam...that's the Hailam way of saying kopi tiam. Just behind the phone booth was where my late AhGung would bring me on saturday mornings when he visits and chats with his hailam ko buddies.

My AhGung would pull on his well ironed slacks, normally grey in color and he will pull on a white shirt and he never fails to slide his Parker ballpoint pen into his pocket. He always has a pen on him. It was silver in color with a gold clip and blue ink. Then he will get me dressed in my shorts and i don't remember what shirt i wore but i definately know i had my shorts on. He would then pull out his trusty steed, the black Raleigh. Once he got on I will climb onto the back saddle and we would be on our way. At that time sitting on the metal 'saddle' was not a bother. The thrill of going out with AhGung was worth the discomfort.

This kobi diam was more a stall than a shop. The whole building was a market. This is the dry section where you get vege and all that. The building at the back houses the wet market where chicken, fish and the other animals are slaughtered.


Once there my AhGung would greet his buddies or sukinang...orang kampung...and order his nes-si-kobi...nescafe. I don't get to choose my drink but i'm happy with nes-si-kobi. I get to choose my kueh. The nescafe arrives in a cup and saucer and my AhGung will pour my share into the saucer while talking to his buddies. He then pulls out his Rothmans and lights it and continues with their chatter. I was oblivious to all that as I was enjoying my kueh and blowing my hot nes-si-kobi in the saucer before sipping it.

At the end of it all i climb onto our trusty steed after my AhGung and we head home with me full with kueh and nes-si-kobi and happy for the outing with my AhGung.